Menu
01/07/2016
Sinn Féin Calls For Establishment Of National Forum
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on the government to consider establishing a National Forum to discuss how Ireland might "respect and defend" those citizens in the north who voted to remain in the EU.
Mr Adams said that the Forum could bring together "all of the different strands of opinion on the island of Ireland to discuss our future in the EU following the Brexit vote".
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, Mr Adams said: "I have written to the Taoiseach to ask him to consider establishing a Forum to discuss the future for the people of this island – North and South – and the European Union following the Brexit vote. I have asked him to meet with me and other political leaders to discuss this proposal.
"This Forum should aim to have island wide participation and involve the Assembly parties, the Oireachtas, European Parliament and civic society.
"The vote of the clear majority of citizens in the north who want to remain in the EU must be respected and defended.
"The Remain vote brought together unionists, nationalists, republicans and others in common cause on the same platform. Those who campaigned for a Leave vote should also be invited. There is an imperative on all of those who are concerned about the consequences of the Brexit vote to work together in the time ahead.
"There is a particular onus on the Irish government to defend the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions, and to work closely with the Executive to achieve maximum co-operation.
"A Forum, similar to the New Ireland Forum and the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, should be open to all political parties on the island. It would have the clear objective of discussing the implications of Brexit and producing papers on strategies and policies that might assist in coordinating efforts in the time ahead.
"Such a Forum could be invaluable in providing information both to the public and to all of those sectors of our society likely to be affected by Brexit.
"The Forum could reach out to those in Scotland who voted to remain in the EU.
"It could also hold plenary sessions to which experts on aspects of EU policy could give evidence.
"Critically, the agenda for such a Forum would need to be agreed with the participants to ensure maximum buy-in."
(MH)
Mr Adams said that the Forum could bring together "all of the different strands of opinion on the island of Ireland to discuss our future in the EU following the Brexit vote".
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, Mr Adams said: "I have written to the Taoiseach to ask him to consider establishing a Forum to discuss the future for the people of this island – North and South – and the European Union following the Brexit vote. I have asked him to meet with me and other political leaders to discuss this proposal.
"This Forum should aim to have island wide participation and involve the Assembly parties, the Oireachtas, European Parliament and civic society.
"The vote of the clear majority of citizens in the north who want to remain in the EU must be respected and defended.
"The Remain vote brought together unionists, nationalists, republicans and others in common cause on the same platform. Those who campaigned for a Leave vote should also be invited. There is an imperative on all of those who are concerned about the consequences of the Brexit vote to work together in the time ahead.
"There is a particular onus on the Irish government to defend the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions, and to work closely with the Executive to achieve maximum co-operation.
"A Forum, similar to the New Ireland Forum and the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, should be open to all political parties on the island. It would have the clear objective of discussing the implications of Brexit and producing papers on strategies and policies that might assist in coordinating efforts in the time ahead.
"Such a Forum could be invaluable in providing information both to the public and to all of those sectors of our society likely to be affected by Brexit.
"The Forum could reach out to those in Scotland who voted to remain in the EU.
"It could also hold plenary sessions to which experts on aspects of EU policy could give evidence.
"Critically, the agenda for such a Forum would need to be agreed with the participants to ensure maximum buy-in."
(MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 October 2019
Year 1 Report On LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy Published
The Year 1 Report on the Implementation of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy has been launched by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone, at an Implementation Forum attended by cross government partners and stakeholders at Collins Barracks.
Year 1 Report On LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy Published
The Year 1 Report on the Implementation of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy has been launched by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone, at an Implementation Forum attended by cross government partners and stakeholders at Collins Barracks.
18 August 2017
Woman's Body Lay Undiscovered In Hospital Toilet For 'Up To 10 Hours'
An investigation has been launched after it was revealed that the body of woman lay undiscovered in a disabled toilet at University Hospital Galway for up to 10 hours. According to reports the body of a Polish woman was found in a public disabled toilet at the hospitals Emergency Department over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Woman's Body Lay Undiscovered In Hospital Toilet For 'Up To 10 Hours'
An investigation has been launched after it was revealed that the body of woman lay undiscovered in a disabled toilet at University Hospital Galway for up to 10 hours. According to reports the body of a Polish woman was found in a public disabled toilet at the hospitals Emergency Department over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
16 March 2011
Fastfood Workers Say Wages Under Attack
Dublin's fast food staff are taking to the streets on Wednesday to highlight their anger over whet they describe is an attack by the industry on their wages. Members of the Restaurant and Catering Workers Forum said they are gathering in Dublin city centre at lunchtime to oppose the reduction to their wages.
Fastfood Workers Say Wages Under Attack
Dublin's fast food staff are taking to the streets on Wednesday to highlight their anger over whet they describe is an attack by the industry on their wages. Members of the Restaurant and Catering Workers Forum said they are gathering in Dublin city centre at lunchtime to oppose the reduction to their wages.
21 September 2015
Domestic Water Customers Sought For Public Water Forum
The Commission for Energy Regulation has launched a recruitment drive to appoint 20 domestic water consumers to the board of the new independent consumer consultative forum, the Public Water Forum. The primary purpose of the Forum is to represent the interests of water consumers and a variety of sectoral organisations.
Domestic Water Customers Sought For Public Water Forum
The Commission for Energy Regulation has launched a recruitment drive to appoint 20 domestic water consumers to the board of the new independent consumer consultative forum, the Public Water Forum. The primary purpose of the Forum is to represent the interests of water consumers and a variety of sectoral organisations.
10 March 2016
Second Meeting Of Dairy Forum Held Ahead Of Key Meeting Of EU Agriculture Ministers
Key stakeholders from the Irish dairy sector have met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, at the second meeting of the Dairy Forum. The forum discussed ongoing challenges in the sector and focussed on preparations for next week's key meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels.
Second Meeting Of Dairy Forum Held Ahead Of Key Meeting Of EU Agriculture Ministers
Key stakeholders from the Irish dairy sector have met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, at the second meeting of the Dairy Forum. The forum discussed ongoing challenges in the sector and focussed on preparations for next week's key meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Any fog and low cloud burning off this morning. Then sunny intervals with a few showers breaking out this afternoon, these mainly across southern counties. Warm. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Any showers dying out this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with variable amounts of cloud. Low cloud and fog developing in the early hours. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
